France fires first air strikes on ISIL in Syria

Handout picture released by French Defence Audiovisual Communication and Production Unit (ECPAD) shows French army Rafale fighter before taking off from a base in the Gulf as they embark for Syria on Show more

PARIS // France has fired its first air strikes in Syria as it expands military operations against ISIL extremists.

The office of president Francois Hollande’s announced on Sunday said that “France has hit Syria” based on information from French reconnaissance flights sent earlier this month.

There were no further details.

France has been firing air strikes on ISIL extremists in Iraq as part of the US-led coalition since last year, but had resisted air raids in Syria because it did not want to strengthen president Bashar Al Assad. Mr Hollande announced a change in strategy earlier this month because of growing concern about the Syrian refugee crisis.

The president’s office argued on Sunday that it was a question of national defence, as France has been attacked and threatened by extremists claiming ties to ISIL.

Mr Hollande, heading to the UN General Assembly, also stressed the importance of seeking a political solution for Syria.

“More than ever the urgency is putting in place a political transition” including elements of the opposition and Assad’s regime, Mr Hollande said.

France has remained opposed however to recent diplomatic suggestions of allowing Mr Assad to stay in power for a limited time.

While no specifics were provided about the location or timing of the air strikes, French military officials have said they would target ISIL training and logistical sites, according to French media reports.

The French government has insisted that while it is part of the US-led coalition, France is deciding who and what to hit independently.

Mr Hollande announced on September 7 that France would start air strikes, days after the photo of a dead 3-year-old Syrian boy galvanised public concern about Syrian refugees.

Mr Hollande said on Sunday: “Civilian populations must be protected from all forms of violence, that of ISIL and other terrorist groups but also the murderous bombardments of Bashar Al Assad.”

* Associated Press